TRAPRISE - Clonbrien claims Kirby as Scaglietti settles for third

Following a month of intense competition amongst the brightest young talents in racing, the 2023 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial Stake concluded at Limerick Greyhound Stadium on Friday and crowning a brilliant event campaign at the outset of his hugely exciting career, James & Muireann Murphy’s Clonbrien Treaty (Pestana-Clonbrien Millie) bagged the €80,000 winner’s prize in the Noreen & JP McManus sponsored feature.

Settling for qualifying places in the opening two rounds of the Kirby, the Graham Holland trained August 2021 pup shed his maiden tag at quarterfinal stage and continuing to improve within the event, was a dominant winner of his semi-final when progressing to a slick 28.15 for the 525-yards.

A repeat draw in trap 1 for Friday’s final proved ideal and despite headed at trap rise, Clonbrien Treaty would secure a precious lead around the opening bends when crucially commanding the inside when displaying powerful early dash while approaching the corner on the inside of the sharp starting Scaglietti. Indeed, for that latter local challenger, his smart break from trap 3 had supporters dreaming of a first Kirby victory for trainer Pat Guilfoyle but charting a true line to the bend, he would find the eventual winner galloping off the first turn and into his midriff, which would subsequently see Scaglietti (Magical Bale-Outdoor Roller) embroiled in damaging baulking with Gaytime Hugo, ending his victory aspirations as the winner streaked clear to the backstraight. In isolation at halfway, Clonbrien Treaty completed victory for track regular connections with eight and a half lengths to spare over Liam Peacock’s Bogger Lucky, with Scaglietti a further length and a half adrift while rallying admirably from those opening bend woes. Losing little in defeat, expect to see Scaglietti at the business end of many more major events as the season progresses for the exciting Moneygall star.

DREAM CAN BE SELECT STAR

Immediately back on the major event trail, Pat Guilfoyle will seek to defend the Time Select Stakes at Waterford, which he won last season with Explosive Boy, when the Lars & Anita Wicander owned Wi Can Dream contests this Saturday’s final following an impressive passage through his heats in the prestigious event.

A first-round winner in 28.56 for the 525-yards, the June 2020 whelp was well drawn in trap 1 for the second semi-final this week and immediately contested the lead throughout the early exchanges when racing in close quarters with Owen McKenna’s Derby finalist Callaway Pro-Am. A brilliant buckle between the pair saw the race settled at the closing bends when Wi Can Dream (Cabra Firmino-Cabra Angel) was briefly checked before ceding a one length winning margin in 28.36.

The opposing semi-final was claimed by Clona Duke in 28.51 but ahead of his trap 4 draw in this week’s final, victory hopes will largely hinge on finding a smart break from a tricky berth for the Guilfoyle star. However, entirely capable of leading to the opening bend, Wi Can Dream holds every chance of delivering a third victory in the event for his Moneygall kennels.

With local winners far too numerous to detail this week, a return to Limerick action saw much to cheer on Saturday in the wake of Kirby excitement when firstly, Martin Kennedy’s Gortglas Dream (Magical Bale-Our Marys Dream) shed her maiden tag at the second time of asking the Inter Track Betting A8 525.

Held when slow to stride on debut last month, the September 2021 whelp was swifter to stride when immediately contesting the lead from trap 4 this time and she would take a tight one-length lead to the opening bend. Extending while turning, the Kennedy pup doubled her advantage before hard pressed when a strong running rival ranged up on her outside at the closing bends. Displaying admirable resolve when challenged however, Gortglas Dream refused to cede and despite a half length down before entering the home stretch, battled bravely on the run to the line when forging a most game one-length winning margin in 29.41 (+20). Taking a rise to A5 next time, that level will hold no fears for Gortglas Dream on the back of this hugely pleasing performance.

Having bounced back to form with A6 victory at Limerick, the Mary Ellen’s Gang Syndicate’s Dolla Ranger (Candlelight King-Cnoc Rosie) is enjoying his veteran racing days and registering a second win from his late three outings, added to the Saturday spoils at when a dominant winner of the Greyhounds Make Great Pets A4 525.

Having turned four years of age in February, the Pat Steed stalwart found one of his better breaks from trap 1 and easing to a one length lead at the opening bend, never sighted a rival when in command throughout a cosy three and a half length verdict in 29.24 (+20) and avoiding a rise up the grading table, can be fancied to repeat in current form!

Returning to Friday, there was some local victories to cheer outside of the Kirby disappointment and setting up a hattrick bid next time while backing up his latest Thurles victory was Pat O’Connor’s Hillstreet Puma (Pat C Sabbath-Holiday Madge) when taking further advantage of his appealing A4 grade over 525-yards at Galway.

An A2 winner in his early career, he crept closer to his best form when showing the best early pace from trap 3 this time and tackling the opening bend with a length in hand, readily proved too strong on the run to halfway when streaking to his seven and a half length winning margin before the closing turns. Completing in 29.24(-10), the PJ Tynan trained September 2020 whelp will take just a small rise to A3 next time and remains plausibly graded for his treble attempt.